Social and Peer Support Groups
TWO NEW SUPPORT & SOCIAL GROUPS BEING SET UP IN LONDON
The Royal London Society for the Blind is setting up two new groups for visually impaired people who live in the London Boroughs of Westminster and Lambeth. Both groups will be user led and offer a mix of advice, support and activities.
The RLSB provides a facilitator to assist group members to devise a programme of activities and discussion groups and organise outings.
VIPs in Westminster
Meetings are held at Noon at:
Westminster NHS building, 15 Marylebone Road, NW1.
This will be a planning meeting. At this meeting the group will discuss a suitable time and venue for the group to meet every month. We will also start devising a programme which will include sharing information about getting about in London, mobility training, benefits, employment, housing and care services in the area, disability rights and safety out and about in the community. We will discuss their ideas for outings.
Healthy Lambeth VIPs Social and Support Group
Getting out and about, meeting friends and developing social networks are essential for mental health and wellbeing.
The aim of the group is to decrease the isolation and depression experienced by so many blind or partially sighted people and to increase their mental health and wellbeing so that they can live happier, more fulfilled life.
The group will meet twice monthly with a combination of half day group sessions and full day outings. RLSB plan work with the group to devise a programme of discussion groups and speakers plus outings, to encourage healthier lifestyles and increase physical activity, such as sailing, cycling or walking; all supported by trained volunteers from the local volunteer centre.
The first meeting will be in June. Again the time and venue have yet to be decided.
If you would like to get involved in setting up either group or just want to attend to meet other people in a similar situation to yourself, please don't hesitate to contact Geraldine Quinlan on 0207 901 1572 or 07515 325 821 or email geraldine.quinlan@rlsb.org.uk
BEYOND BARRIERS -Social and Support Group in Tower Hamlets
This group has been meeting since May 2008. It has a lively membership of around 15 people aged from 25 to 82. We meet twice monthly on the first and third Thursday of the month at:
The InFocus Room, Disability Resource Centre, 40-50 Southern Grove, Mile End, E3 4PS
Usually the group has a meeting from 1.30 to 3.30 on the first Thursday, this can involve playing board games, discussion groups, presentations from invited speakers. On the third Thursday the group usually goes on a trip out somewhere in London. Recent trips have included The National Portrait Gallery, The O2 Centre and the RNIB Resource Centre.
The group is user led. We have planning meetings three times per year where members devise a programme of outings, activities, discussions, training and presentations.
Feedback from current members:
"The group is lovely. I meet a lot of nice friends. Geraldine lets me know what is going on, I can take it up if I want to, it's up to me. I think it is a great group." - Karen Gervaise
"I feel strong when I come to the group. I like talking to people. I can tell Geraldine about any problem I have and she helps me." -Harjinder Sandhu
"There is a sense of community in the group. It's great to see how far some members have come since they have been coming here." -John Flynn
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